Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-27

could hardly boast of vast hereditary
wealth. a.,
In view OF all this. tho present indig-
nation in well-informcd quarters seems
a little forced. Bot il it be true, az
stated, that Wilson received 2,0OO,OOOi.
as a single fee for his influence to pro-
cure certain Government contracts for
some other scamp, and then, having got
ten the money, gave the contracts to
another man, who doubtless gave as
much or more for them that tins VIII
son has been selling his supposed intu-
ence with the French President TO every
customer for years, yet has spent oil bis
money and has nothing left, one can
estimate the pace at which he and his
fellows have been living.
Something more or less like the Legion
of Honor has been instituted in almost
all the countries of Continental Europe,
and England has the Victoria Cross for
all ranks.
In Republican Rome the first soldier
over the walls Of a besieged place received
that golden crown called Corona nurd-
lis; the first over an entrenchment the
Corona J'ailaris; and for notable
victory at sea was given the corona M
ralis. But the modern stars, crosses, and
parters descend froln the insignia OF the
monkish knights of the times Of the cru
sades. For example, the Templlr wore
an eight-pointed cross Of red cloth sew
ed upon his white robe and so the other
orders had each a distinguishing mark.
From these, especially as fine gentlemen
were given to wearing collars and chains
of gold and golden embroidery, and ms
pectoral crosses were well known, the
transition to the stars and crosses OF the
Golden Fleece and other orders, mGde
in metal and suspended around the neck
or upon the breast, was simple and ma
tural.
As every one knows, the monastic
knights. whose orders were originally
composed of pious and humble Chris
tians, became pulled up with worldly
pride, and resembled their founders as
much. or rather Us little, as Leo y. re-
semblcd Peter the fisherman. Thus or
dcrs of knighthood came to be the dlstinc-
tons of the great, and their insignia
badges Of nobility. membership in many
Of them being still confined to the titled
classes.
Perhaps the various knightly orders
in Great Britain. the only country
where, ut times. the sovereign still con-
fers knighthood in person by the nc
colade, may give a fair idea Of the pres
ent status IN the principal countries the
decorations Of Soulouque, King Cali
co.. and the King of the Camibal
Islands being hardly worth notice.
In the lowest rank, as in feudal times.
stind the q" Knights Bachelors These
are persons who although knigdted be-
long 10 no "order OF kDighthood
survival Of the knighted men-at-arms
who served under the lanner OF some
lord. When we hear Of the Queen knight
ing some mayor oY other functiOn0ry
this is what they receive. But Just as
the Templars and the knights OF st. John
held themselves above such knights. 50
are the modern orders Of knighthood
esteemed far above these modern
knights bachelors. Indeed to the
swell" while one is the object OF
highest ambition, the other is almost
ridiculous. For example: While among
the Knights Bachelors Of England the
names are all those Of cOmmoners, there
were at the last dates tiity.tvo Knights
of the Garter Of Great Britain. OF these
twenty-eight were kings, emperors, or Of
the immediate family OF rulers eleven
were dukes. four were marquesscs, and
| the remaining nine We're eGrls. OF these
all below royal rank had acquired per
sonal celebrity. OF the twenty knights
| of the Thistle four were members OF the
royal family, five were dukes, three mar
Q,icsses, sir earls, and two lords Of inte-
rior title. OF the twenty-four knights
of st. Patrick four were OF the royal fam
/ ily, one was duke, three were mar
/ quesses, eleven earls, and the other live
/ lords of lower title. The knighthood OF
I the Order of the Bath. although more
+ tree f. men Of distinguished meit, yet
is confined TO those Ok eminent station.
/ In most of the Continental States there
are also many orders Of knighthood that
are given only ID kings, princes, and
mobiles. The insignia worn 10y come of
/ the knights are magnificent. Those OF
the Garter, Thistle, and Of ST. Patrick
are so splendid that the heirs are obliged
TO return them to the crown yet u
seems that the mere Encouragement OF
the last presented Garter, that given to
the Crown Prince of Austria, cost the
English Government $3.50, or more than
! $1,000.
In the United States certain medals
are given, somewhat on the plan Of the
original Legion Of Honor or of the Vic
toria Cross. But these medals have been
given 50 rarely as 20 make their posses
sion beyond price. OF the grand gold
medals not a dozen have been awarded
during the whole history of the country,
and these were solemnly voted by Con
oress as n reward for deeds that IN mo-
narcbical countries would have made the
recipient aduke loaded with hOnors. Be
sides these, AID rs the giving OF the Vic
toria Cross in Great Britain compares
with the giving OF the Garter and with
greater difference between them than
between the Grand Cross and the simple
Cross Of the Legion Of Honor, come the
medals for life-savine at sea and other
heroic actions, aud even these are given
ONLY for acts of most conspicuous gal
lantry.
It Is. however a curious fact that the
only order not comforting knighthood,
because titles cculd not be borne, but
otherwise OF precisely the same nature
as the knightIy orders, that ever was
made hereditary was instituted by
George Washington in these United
States Of America.
This was the Society Of the Cincinnati
composed OF tine officers who had served
with distinction during the war of toe
Revolution. The membership was made
hereditary in the male line, and was
looked upon as a memento OF patriotic
deeds aud an exemplar TO the children
Some half century and more ago, how
ever, when the wise, profound, modest
and learned statesmen then at the helm
of American affairs had come to look upol
Washington as n wicked old aristocrat
and the laws passed by his cotempora
ries as unjustly keeping from his vic
torious tag-rag following their JUS
spoils--that is to say, all the offices 0
the country and the control of all ii
moneys-the governmental recognition
of the Society of the Cincinnati wa
withdrawn because he, the omnipotent
virtuous, sweetlived, and self-sacriiicni
statesman, determined, solely for III